Join us for an exploration of the subtle aspects of yoga and gain the tools to take your practice to a deeper level beyond basic asana and meditation. In this course, renowned bodyworker, yoga, and embodiment teacher Jeff Masters will share his extensive work with yoga practices to purify the physical senses and connect with … Continued
In the last decade, an increasing amount of research attention has focused on the benefits of interoception, i.e. our ability to perceive what’s going on inside our body. People with strong interoception are able to notice and connect with bodily sensations linked to emotions, signals of hunger and thirst, and even intuitive hunches. Because interoception … Continued
The practice of yoga is intended to enhance the equanimity of body, mind, and soul. An essential vehicle for gaining the benefits of yoga is found in a spine that is strong, flexible, balanced, and receptive. In this course, renowned yoga teacher Lillah Schwartz shows how we can retain or reestablish the natural fluidity of … Continued
It is well-known that core strengthening is one of the most important ways to keep your back healthy and enjoy pain-free living. However, when most people hear the term “core strengthening,” they think of strength work for the abdominals, such as crunches, curl-ups, and sit-ups. Unfortunately, these exercises tend to strengthen mainly the superficial muscles … Continued
Most physical therapy for knees focuses on the bending/extending aspect of the knees, with emphasis on the hamstrings and quadriceps. But the knee is a ‘twisty joint’ capable of rotation, and many if not most knee problems arise from this aspect — which is of even more concern in yoga, which involves rotation of the shins in … Continued
The opioid crisis and the growing problem of addiction in general are among the most critical issues facing humanity today. At its root, substance use disorder stems not just from chronic pain, but far more commonly is a reflection of the mounting inability to deal effectively with life’s challenges. As a society, we are over-worked, … Continued
In our fast-paced Vinyasa yoga culture, are we missing out on one of the greatest gifts yoga has to offer? Renowned yoga teacher Judith Hanson Lasater thinks so. Deep rest has become an absolute necessity in our lives. When we emphasize moving rapidly through a series of poses, it is easy to miss out on … Continued
Increasingly, researchers are pointing to a new risk factor for chronic disease: Inflammation. Inflammation is a natural immune system defense mechanism, but when it becomes chronic, it becomes a risk factor for a host of chronic conditions, including atherosclerosis, diabetes, arthritis, thyroid issues, fibromyalgia, and more. Aging is one of the biggest risk factors for chronic … Continued
Beginning students often share common challenges. These include a lack of body awareness, and the typical physical limitations of the American body, such as tight hamstrings, tight hips, a weak back, and lack of core strength. The older the student, the more pronounced these limitations. Learning to observe and adjust your teaching to these common issues is … Continued
The most foundational yoga pose of all is Tadasana or Mountain Pose. Tadasana demands just one simple thing: that we stand with good posture in a way that supports the natural curves of a healthy spine. In our Western sedentary society, however, it’s surprisingly difficult for most yoga students to achieve correct alignment in Tadasana. … Continued
Many people with plantar fasciitis foot pain think the issue is in the feet. After all, that is where the pain is. For most people, plantar fasciitis is worst in the morning, with the first steps after getting out of bed. Massaging the soles of the feet may bring some relief, but then the following … Continued
It is no exaggeration to say that the hip is one of the most important major joints of the body. First, it is the major connecting point for load transfer between the upper and lower body. Second, the hip also plays an important role as a part of the pelvic complex implicated in the diaphragmatic … Continued